News

The Check-In: Who's Going to Kona?

Pro field set for the IRONMAN World Championship, world-record attempt in Underpants Run, race previews and more news from the world of IRONMAN.

Who's Going to Kona?

It’s been a long and arduous 12 months of chasing points for the 50 men and 35 women professionals who have topped the Kona Points Ranking System (KPR) and have been rewarded with a spot at the IRONMAN World Championship, presented by GoPro, on October 11. Mirinda Carfrae, Leanda Cave, Craig Alexander, Pete Jacobs and Frederik Van Lierde (past IRONMAN world champions), along with Mel Hauschildt and Sebastian Kienle (reigning IRONMAN 70.3 world champions), are not included in the final number, so there will be 54 men and 38 women on the start line.

The final selections were not determined until the last races of the 2014 qualifying season, which concluded on Sunday with IRONMAN Louisville. The tight races for the final 10 men and seven women’s spots left the likes of Andreas Raelert, Mareen Hufe and Angela Naeth off the line. There were no roll downs for the women, while Timo Bracht and Viktor Zyemtsev declined their starts. When Dirk Bockel withdrew his acceptance due to injury, the last remaining spot was awarded, and accepted, by Ronnie Schildknecht late this week.

Be Part of History: Underpants Run Shooting for Record

The other can’t-miss event in Kona this October is the 17th edition of The Underpants Run, which will be held on Thursday, October 9, at 7:30 a.m. The start and finish will be located at the back parking lot of the Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel (where the IRONMAN Banquets take place). This year’s running will make an attempt at breaking the Guinness Book of World Record for the 'Largest gathering of people wearing only underpants/knickers.'

Underpants Run Registration

Online: Available until Monday October 6th, 11:59 p.m. PST. Click here for registrationEvent Week onsite: At the Multisports.com booth located in the IRONMAN Expo Tuesday October 7th from 5-7 p.m. and Wednesday October 8th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.Event morning: October 9th in the Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel parking lot starting at 6:00 a.m.

IRONMAN 70.3 Zell am See-Kaprun Preview

Sunday’s race will be a teaser for the 2015 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship and a live video show will be available as part of the Ironman.com coverage.

Join the conversation using #IM703ZellamSee while following the race day action on Ironman.com and via Twitter @IronmanLIVE.

2014 IRONMAN Louisville: Race Day Video

IRONMAN 70.3 Foz do Iguaçu Preview

The second race added to the IRONMAN 70.3 schedule in Brazil, set in the most popular international tourist destination in the southern region of the country, takes place on Saturday. Foz do Iguaçu is renowned for its natural attractions, such as Iguassu Falls, and for hosting international sports events.